Government welcomes Siemens £80million plans to bring offshore wind production to the UK - 29/03/2010

The Government today welcomed Siemens plans to invest £80million in the UK for offshore wind production facilities, following the Government's Budget announcement of £60m for a competition to develop manufacturing and assembly sites sites for the offshore wind industry.

Today's announcement demonstrates that the UK is the world's top destination for offshore wind energy investment. Strategic industrial intervention by the Government is unlocking this investment, generating a new industrial sector in the UK that could employ a high skilled workforce of 70,000 by 2020.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:

"Siemens are a world leader in wind technology and this is a fantastic endorsement of the UK as a destination for renewable energy businesses. Siemens plans will provide hundreds of manufacturing jobs and many more in the supply chain - confirming the UK as a world leader in offshore wind."

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

"This is a vote of confidence from one of the foremost companies in the offshore wind sector, looking to set up a base in the UK. More proof that we're exploiting the great natural resource that we have and creating the right conditions to attract investment. Siemens' investment will help create jobs and help us meet our renewable energy targets."

Siemens is the latest offshore wind manufacturer to announce plans for investment in the UK. Clipper has committed to build the world's biggest wind turbines employing up to 500 people; Mitsubishi intend to invest up to £100 million in an offshore wind R&D facility, creating up to 200 jobs; and last week GE announced a €110 million investment which the company believe will create up to 1900 jobs.

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